URDAIBAI BIOSPHERE RESERVE
About this good practice
The Urdaibai Biosphere Reserve covers 22,000ha and is made up of a mosaic of cliffs, mountains, beaches and rivers, which offer us a spectacular landscape full of animal and human life. With the aim of harmonising the conservation of biological diversity, heritage and cultural manifestations, and impulse the economic development, as well as the relationship between people and their environment, in 1984 UNESCO declared it as a Biosphere Reserve.
Biosphere Reserves are designated areas that serve as living laboratories for sustainable development. For it, they have implemented the European Charter for Sustainable Tourism. Key issues:
● Protect valuable landscapes, biodiversity and cultural heritage.
● Financially support conservation through tourism.
● Reduce the carbon footprint, pollution and waste in the use of natural resources.
● Provide safe access, quality of facilities, tourist services and unique experiences related to the protected space, available to all types of visitors.
● Effectively communicate the values of the protected area to visitors.
● Ensure cohesion and good social understanding.
● Seek benefits for the local economy.
● Provide training and build capacity.
● Monitor tourist activity and its impacts.
● Communicate the actions and commitments of the Charter.
The main stakeholders are the citizens of the region themselves, who have been able to maintain their important natural and cultural heritage and biodiversity, and enhance it for future generations.
Resources needed
There are 2 entities involved: Urremendi Rural Development Association and the managing entity of the Biosphere Reserve. There is a person employed full time in the execution of the project with the support of regional and municipal entities with competence in tourism.
Evidence of success
SUSTAINABLE TOURISM, Balance between protection and exploitation, foster biodiversity preservation, enhance of the well-being of the local communities, plan sustainable tourism effectively, distribution of flows, digitalisation, facilitating information to tourists, increasing the average length of stay, achieve the commitment of all the actors involved, deseasonalisation by having the agenda and extended experiences available 24/7, seek continuous improvement.
Potential for learning or transfer
Ensure environmental sustainability. The Biosphere Reserve aims to strike a harmonious balance between conservation and human activities, fostering biodiversity preservation while enhancing the well-being of the local communities.
Transferability and replicability: It is an example of environmental sustainability and diversification of tourisms flows.
Improve visitor interaction and the tourist experience. Obtaining greater visitor satisfaction. Reinforce new motivations for visiting the region.
Increase the number of visitors to the region, without compromising the carrying capacity of the destination.
Distribute the flow of tourists throughout the region. Give an overview of the offer.
Deseasonalize demand. Through the launch of new products, routes and experiences, the aim is to increase visits throughout the year and link them to different motivations: gastronomic, naturalistic, sporting or cultural.
Further information
Come back again, it´s only natural - URDAIBAI BASQUE RESERVE 2024
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Good practice owner
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